Purdon (47) is closing his Pukekohe stable, disillusioned with New Zealand racing.
"It is simply too hard to make money for owners in New Zealand.
"I can see things getting worse rather than better.
"I think the people who run harness racing are doing the best they can but financially things don't look bright.
"For me, there are better opportunities in Australia."
Purdon is the most successful trainer of either code in New Zealand.
He has trained horses who have earned $11 million in stakes in New Zealand in the last four seasons. He is also a big buyer at the yearling sales.
Purdon says his decision is mainly financial.
"I have to justify spending owners' money and that is hard when you are racing their horses for $5000.
"The bottom line is an average horse has more opportunities in Australia and with stakes increasing there I have to move if I want to remain at the top."
Purdon says he will focus on New Zealand racing until the New Zealand Cup meeting in November.
Purdon will retain his stable at Rolleston in partnership with Grant Payne.
"I will remain in the partnership with Grant next season but that will depend how much time I can spend in New Zealand. Eventually Grant might just train from my place and rent it off me."
He will close his Pukekohe stables at the end of this month.
"The difference is I own the property at Rolleston and it is all set up, whereas everything up in Auckland is rented so that was the easiest part of the business to close."
Purdon is establishing a 20 to 25-horse stable at Melton in Victoria and a small training operation in New South Wales to concentrate on racing at Menangle.
Scott Phelan, who has been training with Barry Purdon, will be foreman for the Melton stable.
"Menangle is set to become the mecca of Australia and New Zealand harness racing as stakes skyrocket following the sale of Harold Park," Purdon said.
Purdon will concentrate an elite team, headed by Auckland Reactor, who is in work.
